Parallel sizing, dosing and transfer assembly and method of use

ABSTRACT

The method and assembly accommodate parallel processing of a plurality of materials such as catalysts simultaneously through use of interactive modules for sizing of material particles to predetermined substantially identical size, for collecting a substantially identical dose of each material, for feeding the dose of each material into a reactor vessel, and for maintaining integrity of the modules, or units thereof, intact during interaction between structures so no particulate material is lost during necessary processing for ultimate efficacy testing in a least compromised manner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of combinatorial chemistryand more particularly to the field of parallel catalyst testing, where aplurality of catalysts are simultaneously tested, for efficacy thereof,typically within parallel reactors. More particularly, the inventionrelates to an assembly for use in parallel sizing, dosing, andtransferring of materials such as catalysts and the method of usethereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of combinatorial chemistry within, for example, catalystpreparation and testing, there is a need for practical handling tools inthe form of handling assemblies, that can be used during variousmanipulations and transfers of catalysts and/or samples thereof. Theneed for such equipment becomes pressing the moment the number ofsamples to be handled daily increases beyond a number of, for instance,10 to 100, and becomes an absolute pre-requisite for combinatorialactivities in general, when the number of samples to be tested increasebeyond 1,000-10,000 or more per day.

Such assemblies can be used for transfer between various dedicatedpieces of equipment, such as, for example, a parallel synthesis block, aparallel reactor, a parallel sample holder for analysis, and so forth.Such assemblies can also be designed to perform various operations onthe samples, such as grinding and sizing of particles, as well asvolumetric dosing of multiple samples, performed in parallel.

Fundamental to parallel handling/processing is that all activities, frompreparation to final testing, be performed with a spatial format orfootprint, such that all samples are identifiable by their position(spatially addressable format). Therefore all samples should maintaintheir positions, or easily be restorable to their original positions,during manipulations thereof.

The basic concept for the assembly of the present invention is toaccommodate and perform all the normal steps in usual laboratorymanipulation of a plurality of samples in a strictly parallel manner.With such assembly, the time consumed will, ideally, be the same foraccommodating a large plurality of samples, as it would be foraccommodation of a single sample. It is further a basic concept thatvarious pieces or units can be combined creating modules of the assemblyfor performing a sequence of parallel handling steps in as fewoperations as possible, using the modules for parallel processing of thesamples in an identifiable manner throughout processing.

The footprinted modules are formatted to a standard size, which maycorrespond to the commercial 48, 96, or 384 well format (or high-numberstandardized microplates), typically the industry standard forcombinatorial equipment, to allow easy accommodation of commerciallyavailable equipment for use in processing.

During parallel processing all manipulations are performed with moduleunits having identifiable (preferably identical) footprints, as opposedto serial manipulations of a single catalyst at a time, greatlyenhancing efficiency of handling and manipulations and reducing the costand time involved per experiment by several orders of magnitude.

As will be defined further hereinbelow, the assembly is modular withmodules provided for grinding and sieving (sizing), precision volumedosing, transfer, etc., allowing for enhanced flexibility. For example,modules or units thereof can be modified or new modules or units createdand incorporated should the need arise. Additionally, modules used, forexample, in transfer, can be optimized/specialized. If transfer betweendifferent spatial formats becomes important, a format transform modulecould be incorporated into the handling assembly.

The description below will exemplify the invention as applied togrinding, sieving, dosing, transferring, etc., catalysts, but it isimportant to note that the invention may be used in conjunction with awide range of other materials in addition to catalysts, such as, forexample, catalyst precursors, catalyst supports, adsorbents, molecularsieves, zeolites, amorphous materials, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals.Further, samples of any of the above may be used as well, though thisshould not be construed as limiting.

Others have tried various techniques in parallel handling of materials,see WO 02/04121 (crushing and sieving a plurality of samples) and DE19809477 A1 (loading device adapted for parallel transfer of catalyststo reactors through communication device), but the present inventionprovides a rapid, reliable, method and apparatus to introduce asubstantially identical volume of a plurality of materials to an arrayof vessels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an assembly comprisinginteractive modules for substantially identically sizing, precisionvolume dosing and transferring of a plurality of materialssimultaneously, in a spatially identifiable format, into, for example,an array of parallel reactors for testing the materials.

Further, according to the invention there is provided a methodcomprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of materials in a containment module wherein thematerials are positioned in a spatially identifiable format;

when the materials need to be ground to a substantially similar particlesize, transferring the materials to a sizing module;

grinding, separating and trapping ground particles of a predeterminedsize within the sizing module;

transferring the particles of predetermined size to a precision volumedosing module, from the sizing module;

trapping a precision volume dose of particles of each material in thedosing module;

eliminating any excess material from within the dosing module; and

transferring the precision volume doses of material to a reactor feedmodule for loading the materials into an array of parallel reactorswhile maintaining the spatially identifiable format.

Still further according to the invention there is provided a methodcomprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of materials of substantially similarpredetermined particle size, in a containment module wherein thematerials are positioned in a spatially identifiable format;

transferring the materials of predetermined size to a precision volumedosing module, from the containment module;

trapping a precision volume dose of each material in the dosing module;

eliminating any excess material from within the dosing module; and

transferring the precision volume doses of material to a vessel feedmodule for loading the materials into a parallel vessel whilemaintaining the spatially identifiable format.

Still further according to the invention there is provided an assemblycomprising at least a containment module for containing a plurality ofmaterials wherein each material is identifiable by its spatialorientation within the containment module; a precision volume dosingmodule for collecting from the containment module a precision volume ofeach material in a manner wherein spatial orientation is maintained, anda feed module by means of which the precision volume of each material istransferred to a feed conduit of the feed module, with a spatialorientation of the samples being maintained.

Yet further according to the invention there is provided an assemblycomprising a containment module for containing a plurality of materialswherein each sample is identifiable by its spatial orientation withinthe containment module; a precision volume dosing module for collectingfrom the containment module a precision volume of each material in amanner wherein spatial orientation is maintained and a feed module bymeans of which the precision volume of each sample is transferred to afeed conduit feed module, with a spatial orientation of the samplesbeing maintained. The assembly further includes a sizing module for use,when necessary, to provide particulate material with particlessubstantially identical in size, the sizing module receiving materialfrom the containment module and providing particulate material ofsubstantially identically sized particles to the precision volume dosingmodule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view through a catalyst containment modulecomprising a well plate.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view showing one unit of a particle sizingmodule positioned over the catalyst containment module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view showing the joined structures of FIG.1B in an inverted position thereof.

FIG. 1D is a cross sectional view showing the catalyst containmentmodule having been removed after transfer of a catalyst samplestherefrom to one unit of the particle sizing module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the structures shown in FIG.1B.

FIG. 3A is a perspective exploded view showing the entire sizing module.

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view through the sizing module of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view through a precision volume dosingmodule showing same in a first position thereof.

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view through the dosing module showing samein a second position thereof.

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view through the dosing module showing samein a third position thereof.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view showing how units of the sizing moduleare separated to obtain catalyst particles of substantially similarpredetermined size.

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view showing a unit of the sizing modulewith the dosing module engaged thereover, the dosing module beingillustrated in the third position thereof.

FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view of the structures of FIG. 5B ininverted position.

FIG. 5D is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5C but showing thedosing module now in the first position thereof.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a containment module comprising awelled plate with vials within the wells.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the module of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a cross sectional view through the module of FIG. 6A andshows covers being removed from the vials.

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view showing the dosing module in the thirdposition thereof positioned over open vials of a containment module.

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the structures of FIG. 7A ininverted position.

FIG. 7C is similar to FIG. 7B except the dosing module is shown in thesecond position thereof.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a framework module of the assembly in an openposition.

FIG. 8B is an opposite side view of the framework module.

FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of a clamping pin of the framework module ina closed position.

FIG. 9A is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a framework modulein an open position.

FIG. 9B is an opposite side view of the framework module of FIG. 9A in aclosed position.

FIG. 10A is an exploded side view of a reactor feed module of theassembly.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the reactor feed module in a first positionthereof.

FIG. 10C is a side view of the reactor feed module in a second positionthereof.

FIG. 11A is a side view showing the dosing module in the first positionthereof positioned over the reactor feed module in the first positionthereof.

FIG. 11B is a side view showing the dosing module in the third positionthereof positioned over the reactor feed module in the second positionthereof.

FIG. 11C is a side view showing the dosing module in the third positionthereof positioned over the reactor feed module in the first positionthereof.

FIG. 12A is a perspective top view of one containment module.

FIG. 12B is a perspective bottom view of the containment module of FIG.12A.

FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the containment module of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12D is a cross sectional view through the containment module ofFIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a perspective top view of a funnel plate of the dosingmodule.

FIG. 13B is a perspective bottom view of the funnel plate of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a top plan view of the funnel plate of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13D is a cross sectional view through the funnel plate of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a perspective top view of a trap/drain combination plate ofthe dosing module.

FIG. 14B is a perspective bottom view of the trap/drain combinationplate.

FIG. 14C is a top plan view of the trap/drain combination plate.

FIG. 14D is a cross sectional view through the trap/drain combinationplate.

FIG. 15A is a perspective top view of a grinding plate of the sizingmodule.

FIG. 15B is a perspective bottom view of the grinding plate.

FIG. 15C is a top plan view of the grinding plate incorporating weightreduction holes.

FIG. 15D is a top plan view of the grinding plate without weightreduction holes.

FIG. 15E is a cross sectional view through the grinding plate and showsgrinding balls used therewith.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a solid plate of the sizing module.

FIG. 16B is a cross sectional view through the solid plate of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a perspective view of a coarse screen of the sizing module.

FIG. 16D is a cross sectional view through the coarse screen.

FIG. 16E is a perspective view of a fine screen of the sizing module.

FIG. 16F is a cross sectional view through the fine screen.

FIG. 16G is a perspective view of an ultrafine screen of the sizingmodule.

FIG. 16H is a cross sectional view through the ultra fine screen.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a passthrough plate of the sizingmodule.

FIG. 17B is a perspective bottom view of the passthrough plate.

FIG. 17C is a top plan view through the passthrough plate.

FIG. 17D is a cross sectional view through the passthrough plate.

FIG. 18A is a perspective top view of a trap plate of the dosing module.

FIG. 18B is a perspective bottom view of the trap plate.

FIG. 18C is a top plan view of the trap plate.

FIG. 18D is a cross sectional view through the trap plate.

FIG. 19A is a perspective top view of a feed plate of the reactor feedmodule.

FIG. 19B is a perspective bottom view of the feed plate.

FIG. 19C is a top plan view of the feed plate.

FIG. 19D is a cross sectional view through the feed plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Parallel processing and combinatorial methods are not new, as iteratedabove. They have been extensively exploited in pharmaceutical research.Recently, combinatorial methods have migrated to other fields ofchemistry and materials science; however, the type of assembly requiredfor parallel processing is different in the field of, for example,catalyst preparation, from that utilized in the field of processing in apharmaceutical laboratory.

The proposed method for combinatorial handling requires a plurality ofmodules, to be defined below, which cooperatively interact to form aprocessing assembly for grinding (if needed), sizing, precisionvolumetric dosing, and transfer or loading of particulate catalystsamples to a feed module, all of which are illustrated herein in anexemplary fashion, not to be construed as limiting to the scope of theinvention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 12A-D and 6A-C in greater detail, it will beunderstood that particulate catalysts are developed through upstreamprocesses and may either be received in a footprinted or spatiallyidentifiable containment module 10 comprising a plate 11 having wells 12therein or may be obtained from a containment module 10 incorporatingvials 13, also arranged in a spatially identifiable manner.

Up to a certain point in the methodology, catalyst sample processing maytake one of two routes. Which route is taken is dependent upon whetheror not the particulate catalyst samples need grinding, such as, forexample, when grinding is necessary because particulate catalyst samplesare secured directly from an upstream process, with catalyst particlesbeing of various sizes.

Preferably, sizing of the catalyst particles for each sample issubstantially identical, and within a predefined size range so thatcomparison testing of catalyst effectivity is easily accomplished.

In the case where sizing, accomplished through sieving after grinding,is necessary, the containment module 10 is first overlaid with agrinding unit 18 of a particle sizing module 20, inverted thereover, asshown in FIGS. 1B and 2.

The grinding unit 18 comprises a grinding plate 22, a fine sizing screen24, a coarse screen 26 for supporting the fine sizing screen 24 and apassthrough plate 28.

The passthrough plate 28 has a plurality of throughbores 30 thereinwhich align with decreased diameter outlets 32 from grinding chambers 34of the grinding plate 22 which in turn align with the wells 12 or vials13 of containment module 10 when the module 10 and grinding unit 18 ofparticle sizing module 20 are engaged, as best shown in FIG. 1B.

The fine and coarse screens 24 and 26, respectively, are sandwichedbetween the grinding plate 22 and the passthrough plate 28 with the finescreen 24 preferably being positioned adjacent the grinding plate 22 andthe screen adjacent the passthrough plate 28 being the coarse screen 26for keeping grinding balls 36 positioned within each of the grindingchambers 34 from potentially damaging the fine sizing screen 24 duringgrinding of the particulate catalyst within each chamber 34.

With the containment module 10 and the grinding unit 18 of theparticulate sizing module 20 engaged as shown in FIG. 1B, the modulesare inverted, emptying the particulate catalyst into the grindingchambers 34 of the grinding plate 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1C.

The particulate catalyst is maintained within the grinding chambers 34due to the fine sizing of the holes in the sizing screen 24 adjacent thegrinding plate 22 and by the decreased diameter sizing of the outlet 32of each grinding chamber 34. Any catalyst falling through is discarded.

Once the particulate catalysts have been transferred into the grindingchambers 34 of the grinding plate 22, the containment module 10 isremoved. It will be understood that the spatial orientation of thecatalyst samples within the grinding plate chambers 34 is now a mirrorimage of the original.

After the particulate catalyst is received within the grinding chambers34, a grinding ball 36 is placed within each chamber 34, each grindingball 36 facilitating grinding of the catalyst within the chambers 34upon agitation of the sizing module as will be described hereinbelow.Alternatively, the grinding balls 36 may be placed in the wells 12 priorto inversion, as in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

It is proposed to manufacture the grinding plate 22 and grinding balls36 of stainless steel for durability, etc., though this should not beconstrued as limiting. Further, if desired, to decrease weight of thegrinding plate 22, bores 40 may be interspersed between the grindingchambers 34, eliminating some of the material of the plate 22, as shownbest in FIGS. 15A-C.

Turning now the FIGS. 3A and 3B, a particle capture unit 42 of thesizing module 20, is illustrated as set beneath the grinding unit 18 ofthe sizing module 20. The particle capture unit 42 will be seen tocomprise two passthrough plates 28 having an ultrafine screen 43sandwiched therebetween. A flat plate 44 is next positioned over thegrinding unit 18, and a well plate 11 is then positioned beneath theparticle capture unit 42 to form a bottom of the sizing module 20,completing the sizing module 20.

Once the complete sizing module 20 is formed, as shown in FIGS. 3A andB, the module 20 is agitated, in a known manner, and grinding ofparticulate catalyst is accomplished through action of the grindingballs 36 within the grinding chambers 34 of the grinding plate 22.

As the ground particulate catalyst is pulled through the fine sizingscreen 24 through gravitational effect, the particulate catalyst withparticle size greater than that of the holes in the ultrafine screen 43becomes entrained on ultrafine screen 43 and finer particulate matterpasses through the ultrafine screen 43 to be trapped in the well plate11 therebeneath.

Upon ending agitation, the well plate 11 is removed and the contentthereof is set aside. Next, the grinding unit 18 is removed and setaside, leaving the particle capture unit 42. Contained within thethroughbores 30 of the passthrough plate 28 above the ultrafine screen43 of the capture unit 42 is entrained particulate catalyst for use intesting, with the particles of each catalyst being substantiallyidentical in size, i.e., smaller that the holes in the sizing screen 24yet larger than the holes in the ultrafine screen 43, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 5A.

A precision volume dosing module 50, illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C, 5B-D,7A-C, 11A-C, 13A-D and 14A-D is next used to collect a precision volumeof the catalyst samples from the particle capture unit 42 of the sizingmodule 20 for transfer to a reactor feed module 52, to be defined below.The precision volume dosing module 50 is seen to comprise two plates 54and 56 which are engaged in a manner to be relatively movable.

A first or trap/drain combination plate (see brief description of14A-14D) plate 54 of the dosing module 50 has wells 58 therein, eachwell 58 being virtually identical in size. In different applications,wells 58 may be of a different shape or size and a wide variety ofprecision volume chambers would be suitable in the present invention.Each well 58 has, in a preferred embodiment, a throughbore 60 associatedtherewith and positioned to one side thereof, as best illustrated inFIGS. 14A-D, though, in a secondary embodiment of the well plate 54 nothroughbores are provided, as best illustrated in FIGS. 18A-D.

Illustrated best in FIGS. 13A-D, a second or funnel plate 56 of theprecision volume dosing module 50 has a plurality of throughbores orfunnels 62 therein which are of decreasing diameter, toward the wellplate 54. Between the funnels 62, the material of the funnel plate 56must be of sufficient extent, to cover both the wells 58 andthroughbores 60, if both are present in the trap/drain combination plate54 simultaneously. Likewise, the material of the trap/drain combinationplate 54, between well 58 and throughbore 60 combinations thereof, mustbe of sufficient extent to cover outlets 64 of the funnels 62 in thefunnel plate 56, when necessary.

As stated, the plates 54 and 56 of the dosing module 50 are movablerelative to each other. In this respect, the precision volume dosingmodule 50 is placed over the capture unit 42 of the sizing module 20, ina manner positioning the funnel plate 56 adjacent the capture unit 42(see FIG. 5B), and the thusly engaged modules are inverted together,placing the precision volume dosing module 50 on the bottom. It ispreferred that the plates 54 and 56 interact through a tongue-and-grooveinteraction so that one plate does not lift or twist of the other.

The plates 54 and 56 of the dosing module 50 are normally aligned in theposition shown in FIG. 4B where the outlets 64 of the funnels 62 in thefunnel plate 56 rest against the material of the well plate 54,producing a normally closed position for communication between the wells58 of the trap/drain combination plate 54 and the funnel 62 of thefunnel plate 56 of the dosing module 50.

Once the dosing module 50 is positioned beneath the capture unit 42 ofthe sizing module 20, the plates 54 and 56 of the dosing module 50 areslid to the relative position shown in FIG. 4C, so that a volume of eachcatalyst drops into its respective well 58 in the trap/drain combinationplate 54 under gravitational effect (see FIG. 5C). The original spatialformat for the samples is now regained.

Once the wells 58 are full, the plates 54 and 56 are repositioned totheir normally closed position shown in FIG. 4B, with a precision volumeof each catalyst now being entrained in the wells 58. The capture unit42 is now removed and the dosing module 50 may merely be inverted toeliminate excess particulate catalyst from within the funnels 62 of thefunnel plate 56. Alternatively, when throughbores 60 are provided in thewell plate 54, the outlet 64 of each funnel 62 in the funnel plate 56may instead be aligned over a respective throughbore 60, with excesscatalyst draining from within the funnels 62 through the respectivethroughbores 60 through gravitational effect (see FIG. 5D). Either way,a precision volume of each particulate catalyst sample remains entrainedwithin the wells 58 of the well plate 54.

It will be understood, of course, that when catalyst samples areobtained from other than upstream processing and have previously beenground to particles of substantially similar size, the process of sizingneed not be accomplished. However, in such instance, a precision volumeof each catalyst sample must still be obtained in the manner describedabove. In this embodiment, the dosing module 50 cooperates with acontainment module 10, as illustrated in exemplary fashion in FIGS.7A-C, using the module 10 with vials 13 as an example, with steps of thedosing process above being carried out in identical fashion as describedabove.

Once a precision volume of samples has been obtained, in either abovefashion, such samples must be loaded into reactors for testing. As willbe understood, a test reactor (not shown) typically includes a pluralityof elongate testing vessels which must be loaded with the particulatecatalyst, preferably in a manner to place substantially all of eachcatalyst sample at the bottom of each respective vessel.

The desirability of bottom loading of the vessels relates to a number ofrequirements. First, dust is minimized, increasing efficacy of testingby maintaining greater equality of the precision volumes collected.Secondly, the height of the catalyst bed inherently affects testingresults, such that a more equalized level of catalyst particles iscreated in the test tubes through bottom loading to further precludeinconsistencies in testing.

For these reasons also, it will be understood that surfaces within theprecision volume dosing module 50 and a reactor feed module 52, to bedefined below, must be smooth and fit together precisely, eliminatingpotential particulate loss through crevice formation, which particleloss would also provide testing inconsistencies.

To accomplish the goal of bottom loading in a manner substantiallyminimizing, if not altogether eliminating, potential inconsistencies,the reactor feed module 52 is proposed. The reactor feed module 52 iscomprised of a funnel plate 56 which incorporates a plurality of funnels62 therein and a feed plate 70 which incorporates a plurality ofelongate feed conduits 72, extending therein and depending therefrom.

The plates 56 and 70 are slidingly engaged to each other and the feedplate 70 includes biasing structure 74 along one edge 76 thereof whichmaintains the plates 56 and 70 in the position shown in FIG. 10B, wherecommunication between the funnel outlets 64 of the funnel plate 56 andthe feed conduits 72 of the feed plate 70 is closed off.

With the plates 56 and 70 of the reactor feed module 52 in this normallyclosed position the precision volume dosing module 50 is positioned overthe reactor feed module 52 so that the funnel plates 56 of the modules50 and 52 are contiguous, as shown in FIG. 11A.

At this point, feeding or loading of the reactor tubes may beaccomplished by either of two methods. In one method, the particulatecatalyst from the dosing module 50 may be loaded or transferred into thefunnels 62 of the funnel plate 56 of the feed module 52, with the feedmodule 52 in its normally closed position, and the dosing module 50 canbe removed, with the feed module 52 alone being used to load theparticulate catalyst into the reactor tubes.

Here, once the feed conduits 72 of the feed plate 70 are positionedappropriately within the reactor vessels extending substantially thelength of the reactor vessels, the funnel plate 56 is moved against andtoward the biasing structure 74, here shown to comprise biasing springs74, until the funnel outlets 64 align with the feed conduits 72 of thefeed plate 70, loading the particulate catalyst into the bottom portionof each vessel of the reactor via the feed conduits 72 throughgravitational effect.

In a second method, the dosing module 50 and reactor feed module 52 mayremain engaged with the feed conduits 72 of the feed module 52 beinginserted into the reactor vessels and then causing an alignment betweenthe feed conduits 72, the funnel plates 56 of both modules 50 and 52 andthe wells 58 of the trap/drain combination plate 54 of the dosing module50, with loading or transfer then again occurring under gravitationaleffect. Using either method, it will be understood that the catalystsamples in the reactor vessels are arranged in mirror image of theoriginal format.

At any point, if the original format is desired, it will be understoodthat an additional step of transferring the array of materials to anydesired plate, such as the well plate 10, may be introduced. The resultwould be the elimination of the mirror image format and a return to theoriginal format.

It will be appreciated that various modules of the assembly, at one timeor another, are necessarily inverted during the described process ofusing the assembly, either individually or in combination. During suchinversions, as well as during processing steps, such as grinding, it isimperative that the modules and/or units thereof be maintained againstthe possibility of separation. To this end, there is proposed aframework module 80 of the assembly, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-C and9A-B.

Inasmuch as the framework module 80 may be structured in a plurality ofembodiments while still affording the benefits required thereof, twoexemplary embodiments are disclosed, though these should not beconstrued as limiting. As shown, both embodiments offer a bottom wall82, end walls 84, side walls 86, and a top wall 88 creating a box likestructure. The framework modules 80 are also similarly sized, toaccommodate a snug side to side fit of modules which interact therewith,to keep same from shifting therewithin while being inverted, agitated,etc.

It will be seen that the side walls 86 are partial or incomplete, oneextending upwardly from the bottom wall 82 and another depending fromthe top wall 88 which is pivotably engaged to one end wall 84 by a hinge90 in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-C. The partial side walls 86 take theform of flanges 86 extending the entire vertical extent of the frameworkmodule 80.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 9A-B, one end wall 84 is engaged to the topwall 88, with the two walls pivoting together about a hinge 90positioned between the bottom wall 82 and the end wall 84. Also, in thisembodiment, one side wall 86, rather than engaging the top wall 88,engages the pivotable end wall 84, extending laterally inwardlytherefrom.

It will be understood that the framework module 80 is lockable by anysuitable locking mechanism 91 to maintain integrity of the frameworkmodule 80 and hence the various modules located therein duringmanipulations required for processing.

As should be understood from the above description, some of the modules,and/or combinations thereof, when positioned within the framework module80, will not fill the entire vertical extent of the framework module 80.To accommodate such lack in height, it is proposed to provide at leastone, and preferably more than one biasing mechanism 92, such as thebolts 92 or biasing pins 92 shown, by means of which module units,plates or entire modules can be compressed together, within theframework module 80, regardless of vertical extent thereof.

It will be understood, of course, that additional plates, such as flatplate 44, may be used, when necessary, within the framework module 80 tofill any “slack” vertical space within the framework module 80, toassure that modules therewithin are compressed together.

Such accommodative mechanism 92 is necessary to assure against loss ofparticulate catalyst during procedures such as the inverting, agitation,etc., described above.

Further, it will be seen that a horizontal notch 94 is provided in oneof the partial side walls 86 which aligns with an actuating pin 98(FIGS. 14B and 14C) provided on the trap/drain combination plate 54 ofthe dosing module 50. The actuating pin 98 serves to slide thetrap/drain combination plate 54 to a position where particulate catalystis trapped in the wells 58, as previously described.

Of course, it will be understood that the trap/drain combination plate54 will be positioned within the framework module 80 to place the pin 98into alignment with the notch 94 through addition of as many flat plates44 as necessary, above and below the dosing module 50. Also, if desired,cooperating alignment bores 100 and pins 102, or the like may beprovided on various structures of the assembly 10 for assured alignmenttherebetween.

Still further, it will be understood that, through use of the assemblyand method disclosed herein, the samples are easily identifiablethroughout processing to the spatial orientation thereof, which isconsistently maintained throughout the process, either in beginning ormirror image form.

As described above, the method and assembly of the present inventionprovide a number of advantages, some of which have been described aboveand others of which are inherent in the invention. Also modificationsmay be proposed to the teachings herein which are still within the scopeof the invention. For example, vessels other than reactor vessels, suchas adsorbent or separation vessels would just as easily be accommodatedby the method and assembly of the present invention. Accordingly, theinvention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanyingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for handling a plurality of materialscomprising the steps of: simultaneously sizing the materials to apredetermined substantially identical size by simultaneously grindingthe materials and simultaneously sieving the ground materials to collectonly substantially identically sized particles; simultaneouslycollecting substantially identical precision volumes of thesubstantially identically sized materials; and simultaneously depositingthe precision volumes of the materials into feed conduits and loadinginto an array of vessels in a manner where the materials are incontinuously identifiable spatial orientation throughout the steps ofthe method.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the substantially identicalsized materials are in the form of substantially identically sizedparticles.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of grinding thematerials is accomplished through use of a grinding unit.
 4. The methodof claim 3 wherein the step of sieving includes capturing particles ofpredetermined size which pass through the screen of the grinding unitusing at least one sizing screen.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein thestep of grinding the materials further comprises capturing particleslarger than the predetermined size using a screen of the grinding unit.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sieving is accomplishedthrough use of a particle capture unit.
 7. The method of claim 6 whereinparticles smaller than the desired predetermined size pass through theparticle capture unit and are eliminated.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein said step of simultaneously collecting a substantially identicalprecision volume of each material is accomplished by simultaneouslytransferring at least a portion of each of the materials to completelyfill a respective well of a well plate wherein all the wells aresubstantially identical in size.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein thestep of transferring the materials to the wells employs aligned funnelsof a funnel plate which is movably engaged to said well plate.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 further including the step of moving the alignedfunnels out of alignment with the wells once the wells are filledthereby sealing the wells and ensuring a precision volume of material ineach well.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein material remaining in thefunnels of the funnel plate after the wells are sealed is eliminated.12. The method of claim 8 wherein the materials are simultaneouslytransferred to the well plate from a capture unit of a sizing module.13. A method for handling a plurality of materials comprising the stepsof: simultaneously collecting substantially identical precision volumesof substantially identically sized materials; and simultaneouslydepositing the precision volumes of the materials into feed conduits andloading into an array of vessels in a manner where the materials are incontinuously identifiable spatial orientation throughout the steps ofthe method wherein the steps of collecting a substantially identicalprecision volume and simultaneously depositing the precision volume ofeach material into a respective feed conduit for loading into arespective vessel are accomplished by: collecting a precision volume ofmaterial in a well plate having a funnel plate movably engagedthereover; moving the funnel plate so the funnels are no longer alignedwith the wells thereby sealing the wells of the well plate; eliminatingexcess material remaining in the funnel plate; inverting the engagedfunnel and well plates over the feed conduits; and sliding the funnelsinto alignment with both the conduits and the wells so material fromeach well passes into a corresponding conduit.
 14. The method of claim13 wherein material remaining in the funnels of the funnel plate afterthe wells are sealed is eliminated.
 15. The method of claim 13 whereinthe step of simultaneously depositing the precision volume of eachmaterial into a respective feed conduit for loading into vessels isaccomplished by: collecting a precision volume of material in a wellplate having a funnel plate movably engaged thereover; moving funnels ofthe funnel plate out of alignment with the wells thereby sealing thefilled wells of the well plate and discarding the excess materialremaining in the funnels; inverting the engaged funnel and well platesover the feed conduits; and sliding the funnels into alignment with boththe conduits and the wells so material from the wells passes into arespective conduit.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the step ofsimultaneously collecting a precision volume involves transferringmaterials from a containment module containing the materials in aspatially identifiable format to the well plate having a funnel platemovably engaged thereover while retaining a spatially identifiableformat.
 17. A method for handing a plurality of materials, each materialpreviously substantially identically sized, said method comprising thesteps of: simultaneously collecting a substantially identical precisionvolume of each material by simultaneously transferring each of thematerials to fill a respective well of a well plate wherein all thewells are substantially identical in size, wherein the transferring thematerials to the wells involves passing the materials through alignedfunnels of a funnel plate which is movably engaged to said well plate,moving the aligned funnels out of alignment with the wells once thewells are filled through tongue-and-groove sliding of the funnels andthe wells relative to each other, sealing the wells and ensuring aprecision volume in each well; and simultaneously depositing thecollected precision volume of each material into feed conduits andloading into vessels in a manner where the materials are in continuouslyidentifiable spatial orientation throughout the steps of the method.